Disagree. In the far/mid east, being a pilot is not an aspirational job as it is over here in the west. The "status" of the job is viewed on a par with bus/taxi drivers. That's why they are still struggling to find girls or boys willing to do it.
Hence, crewrooms in places like Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, China, India etc are full of ex-pat pilots and very few locals.
Its a bit like the plumbing scene in the UK. It's a well paid job with a pretty much a life time of work, yet firms can't find enough kids today willing to train. Probably as they are all too precious and not wanting to do any actual hard graft. Hence, you call out a plumber and a van full of eastern europeans arrive. Do a good job as well.
The pilot shortage in the west has always been with experienced left seat drivers. Always has been, always will be.
Last edited by GusHoneybun; 23rd Mar 2013 at 12:46.